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Devin Haney didn’t have totally smooth sailing tonight, but survived a late scare to retain his WBC lightweight title against Jorge Linares in a DAZN main event from Las Vegas.
Haney (26-0, 15 KO) built up a good enough lead in the fight to get through with a win nobody is much arguing about, and while the method of victory — Devin not exactly being the most thrilling fighter to watch — will probably be debated, the early read from the pros is a bunch of impressed fighters, who see a 22-year-old technician that did get a test from a terrific, veteran professional and championship-level fighter, and come through it still unbeaten with his belt and a great learning experience.
The question will now, of course, be what Haney does next, and we’ll get into that on Sunday. For now, here’s what Andre Ward, Tim Bradley, and some others had to say about Devin’s win:
Good win by Haney. He needed some resistance in order to stay on pace with his development. Got buzzed, responded well. Give me Lopez vs Haney !!
— Andre S.O.G. Ward (@andreward) May 30, 2021
Haney looked super sharp tonight and showed some grit and boxed very smart
— Jrock (@Jrockboxing) May 30, 2021
Mis respetos para @JorgeLinares. No salimos con la victoria esta noche, pero como siempre diste todo en el ring El Niño de Oro siempre será campeón #HaneyLinares pic.twitter.com/4VqpLYteha
— Oscar De La Hoya (@OscarDeLaHoya) May 30, 2021
Congratulations to @Realdevinhaney on a well-earned victory tonight #HaneyLinares
— Oscar De La Hoya (@OscarDeLaHoya) May 30, 2021
Great performance by @Realdevinhaney . He was able to overcome the adversity from great veteran fighter in @JorgeLinares .
— Timothy Bradley Jr. (@Timbradleyjr) May 30, 2021
What a brilliant fight!!! Respect to both.. @Realdevinhaney 22 years old this young man is coming for everything! @DAZNBoxing
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) May 30, 2021
Great test for Haney, he got hurt and overcame. He’s gonna adapt! Just a learning experience for the young buck
— Joseph Diaz (@JosephDiazJr) May 30, 2021
Thought Haney looked superb tonight fast and accurate against a once great fighter but we have to remember Jorge is not the force he once was,obviously struggled last two rds persistently holding he did what he had to do but ref should’ve warned him
— Enzo Maccarinelli (@theRealEnzoMac) May 30, 2021
What a fight!
— Dave Coldwell (@davidcoldwell) May 30, 2021
Part of a young fighters development is getting that name that’s just past his best but still has enough to test him so he can soak that experience up.
U also learn from getting buzzed & finding a way through it!
Perfect fight for Haney’s development! @DAZNBoxing
Linares earned one more big money fight. Haney did the right thing to slow the pace down.
— Mykal(Michael) Fox (@ProfessorMyke) May 30, 2021
@Realdevinhaney needed this kinda fight young bull the shit and smart as fuck
— Tony Harrison (@Iamboxing) May 30, 2021
Will be tough for Eddie to get him big fights, gonna have to overpay. Never a good sign being booed at home
— Ishé Oluwa Kamau Ali Smith (@IsheSugarShay) May 30, 2021